MPCA 2020-21: Rosebud beats Delacombe Park in District grand final

Rosebud coach Lyle House has deflected credit for his side’s MPCA District premiership and instead applauded a decision by club officials a decade ago.

Rosebud shows off the 2020-21 MPCA District flag.

Bursting with talent and potential, Rosebud is on the rise.

The Sharks will take their place in MPCA Peninsula division — a step away from Provincial — next season after winning the District premiership on Sunday.

The flag is added to the Jack Peacock Cup (District) they won last month — capping a bountiful season for the southern peninsula club.

Rosebud scored a convincing 34-run win over Delacombe Park, which was yet again denied a premiership.

The Sharks batted first at Olympic Park and put up 6-156, with coach Lyle House making 51 off 63 balls at the top of the list and Scott Hayes blasting 33 off 27 (5 fours).

In reply, Delacombe Park’s hopes dipped when skipper Matt Whelan was bowled by House for 19 after hitting a six and a four, the score being 3-73.

Five runs later, House trapped opener Tim Clarke (30) leg before, and Rosebud was on its way to its first flag in five years.

House finished with 4-27 off 7 overs to win the man-of-the-match, while paceman Michael Clavin snared 3-27.

Rosebud won the Jack Peacock Cup T20 title last month.

With most of Rosebud’s side aged between 18-24, the Sharks could be headed for a sustained run of success.

House, the Mt Eliza champion all-rounder, accepted the Rosebud job last May, keen for a challenge.

He quickly earned the respect of his young side and they played for him.

He taught them how to win big moments.

House and young skipper Billy Quigley — along with the experienced Jason Mathers — were the perfect leadership combination.

“When I was looking to go there (to Rosebud) I knew they had a good core group but I probably didn’t really expect it to come together like it did,” House said.

“It was bloody good fun.

“Half way through the year I was kind of like, ‘righto we’ve got a bit of work to do here’, with the way they go about it.

“But they all bought into it. I mean, when you get buy-in it’s a hell of a lot different.

“In the back half of the year our leaders bought-in and it spread quite quickly. It was good.”

House said work on this premiership began 10 years ago.

“This has been a 10-year project in a way,” he said.

“Jugga (Jason Nagel) and (president) Nick Conduit and the committee, they really invested a lot of time into the junior program 10 years ago, they recognised we were lacking in that area.

“The (junior) group they had then was pretty talented.

“It’s rewarding. They can stand up there and say this is not just 12 months work, it’s a decade of work to get the club into a strong position.

“We’re in a position now where we’ve got a strong group and can compete with most other clubs.”

Rosebud’s success was fuelled by the likes of emerging Kane Donald, Quigley, Jess Hawkins, Patrick Nagel, Patrick Nickeas, Kieran Hanley and Ash Nagel.